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Norman R. James, W2VEX
March 11, 2004
Norm was a longtime member and director for the Niagara Frontier Chapter of QCWA. A ham for 64 years, was 83 years old at the time of his death in Kenmore Mercy Hospital. He had worked as a wastewater treatment plant operator. He had served in the Army Air Force during World War II as a airplane electrician and radio operator in the Asia-Pacific Theater. He retired from the Town of Tonawanda in 1983 and was active on the air, and attended QCWA monthly pow-wow luncheons until the time of his death. He is survived by his XYL Joan, two daughters and a son.
Art Graff, W2WEX
December 11, 2003
Just before our annual meeting, on December 11th, longtime chapter member, Art Graff, W2WEX, joined the Silent Keys. Art was a retired broadcast engineer who had worked at WBEN in Buffalo.
Charles M. Breidenstein, K2AOA
June 19, 2003
Charlie was a long-time member of QCWA, first licensed in 1952. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Kimmitt) Breidenstein and six children. He had been employed by the Bell System and was member of the Telephone Pioneers. Outside of his family, radio, and his connection with the telephone industry over many years, he was concerned with helping the poor. He was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at his church, St. Ambrose on Buffalo's south side.
Jeffrey A. Koval, W2FJY
June 13, 2003
Jeff, from North Tonawanda, was a long-time QCWA member and very active on the air. At age 49 he was most noteably active and successful with HF DX operations. He was also a licensed pilot, at age 16 before he had a driver's license. He had been an employee of Tops Markets.
Ken Palmer, K2FJ
November 8, 2002
Our beloved Secretary and QCWA friend, Ken Palmer, K2FJ, became a Silent
Key today, Friday, November 8, 2002. Ken was 75.
Ken suffered congestive heart failure early in the week, and was taken to Mercy Hospital.
He then suffered a heart attack, then a minor stroke, after which he experienced kidney
and lung problems. Ken was a veteran Buffalo area broadcast engineer serving at WGRZ-TV,
WBEN, and WDCX. During the war years he served as a radio operator in the United States
Merchant Marine. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ann, who most frequently
was with Ken at QCWA activities. Also survived by a brother, two sons, and a
daughter. Services were held at Noon, Tuesday, November 12th, in the First Baptist
Church of Marilla, 11651 Bullis Road.
Norm Contrucci, W2JWJ
December 2, 2000
Norm was a life member of our QCWA Chapter #65. He died unexpectedly at the age of 70. Norm frequently would entertain our chapter gatherings whenever a piano was available.
James M. Waldron, K3GQX, Ex-W1HGZ
June 5, 2000
Jim was a graduate electronic engineer who designed and sold the Untenna, the popular low-profile VHF/UHF antennae which even saw application at HF frequencies. He served on the Board of Directors of Chapter #65 and hosted, several times, our summer picnic at his beautiful lakefront QTH at Wilson. He was a licensed Amateur Radio operator for 42 years and member of both ARRL and QCWA. He was an accomplished pianist, Navy veteran of WW-2, and a model train enthusiast. At the time of his death he was a resident of Lockport and still owner of his own communications business.
Norman E. Jones, KD2KK
2000
Norm passed away, unexpectedly, not long after joining Chapter #65. He was a volunteer examiner in the Amateur Radio licensing program and a WW-2 vet.
Robert C. Johnson, W2WVC, 1997
Bob was a Charter Member of Chapter #65 and had served serveral terms on the Chapter Board of Directors. He hosted many Chapter summer picnics at his hilltop QTH south of Buffalo at Wales. He had worked at broadcast stations WADV(FM), WBNY-FM, and WGR AM-FM-TV and provided technical consultation to Erie County government for two-way radio communication systems. He was first licensed at age 14 and was 64 when he passed away unexpectedly at home on November 7, 1997. He had recently retired from a position with the VA Hospital in Buffalo.
Joe Meyer, W2VW, 1997
When he received the QCWA 75th Anniversary Award at his home in Elmira in 1996, Joe was still maintaining daily contacts from his station at age 95. A spark gap transmitter he built, was featured on the front page of the June 1984 "Old Timer's Bulletin" and is now on display at the Antique Wireless Museum at West Bloomfield, NY. First licensed in 1921, but actually "on the air" since 1915, Joe worked for Bendix Radio Corporation in Elmira.
Stuart Farmer, W2NW, 1997
His radio operating goes back to the days of "spark" in Buffalo. Stu became interested in ham radio at age 12, first licensed 1923. Earned FCC commercial licenses and worked as a radio operator on Great Lakes vessels. Went on to become a dentist and picked up the handle, "Doc." Charter member of Chapter #65.
Frank Buckley, W2MK, 1996
Being the first Eagle Scout in Buffalo's Kaisertown probably had something to do with ham radio! Frank served on the Board of Director's for Chapter #65.
Melvin Howarth, VE3DEE, 1996
Robert L. Ward, K2PPK, 1995
First on the ham bands in 1935 as W8OMV in Buffalo. He first modulated radio waves over the National Radio Network, singing in a quartet on the 4H Farm and Home Hour (late 20s). Honored as "Amateur of the Year" by the PROS club in 1993. Active in Amateur traffic nets at the time of his death. On Board of Directors for Chapter #65, QCWA.
Emil Berube, W2DGV, 1995
First licensed 1935.
Raymond Griswold, W2SD, 1994
Founding president of Chapter #65 QCWA. Served for 17 years. Long-time broadcast engineer for WEBR and WKEN in Buffalo during the golden days of radio broadcasting. Worked as a flight radio operator for Curtiss-Wright in 1942. Awarded the Chapter #65 Meritorious Award. First licensed 1925.
Stuart W. Korkow, W2PUT, 1994
Ted Heithecker, W5EJ, 1993
Served as National General Manager for QCWA. Longtime broadcast engineering consultant who worked on several Buffalo broadcast facilities. A charter member of Chapter #65.
Carleton Maylott, W2YE, 1993
Served as Vice-President for Chapter #65 and held the QCWA Century Club Award. An electrical engineer, technical writer, and teacher. His radio experience goes back to the heyday of the giant RCA shore stations along the East Coast where as a student in 1926 he helped break in a Trans-Atlantic radio station. In 1927 worked on primitive overseas reception of TV pictures. Worked at Cornell Aeronautical Labs, Sylvania Electronics, and Bell Aircraft.
Albertus Jones, W2CUU, 1992
Served as Chapter #65's second President. "Burt" lived much of early radio history in Buffalo including time at Colonial Radio (supervisor on military radios), Sylvania Electric Test Labs, Wurlitzer, and Genesee Radio Sales. A Charter Member of Chapter #65 and past president of Radio Amateurs of Western New York (RAWNY). First licensed 1930.
Ralph Janowsky, W2RPO, 1992
Long-time broadcast engineer at WBEN-TV. His ham activities included pioneer work in Amateur television on 450 MHz. Captain in the Army Signal Corp in WW-II. Engineer at Columbus McKinnon. Life Member, QCWA. First licensed 1934.
Thomas Gill, W2RIB, 1992
For 32 years a broadcast engineer at the WBEN stations in Buffalo, retiring in 1978 as Assistant Chief Engineer. Life Member, QCWA. First licensed 1930.
Gordon Knaier, W2LB, 1991
Charter Member Chapter #65, QCWA. First licensed in 1925.
Harvey Ernst, W2EXX, 1991
Long-time radioman for Buffalo area fire department radio network, in charge of communications for them. First licensed 1931.
Ted Podd, W2KX, 1990
Broadcast engineer for WBNY in 1938, WEBR in 1940. During WW-II worked at Curtiss-Wright and John Hopkins University where he helped design and test the proximity fuse. Had patents on electronic devices. Built Buffalo area radio station, WXRA, in 1947 and served as president. Went on to establish UHF TV station on Channel 29. Charter member Chapter #65, QCWA.
Francis MacQueen, W2UBR, 1990
First licensed 1937.
Earnest Roy, W2RX, 1989
Buffalo radio pioneer. First licensed 1921. Aided in construction and operation of WBEN in 1930. Was technical supervisor for WBEN and WBEN-TV. Founder and teacher at Buffalo Radio Institute. Taught at University of Buffalo and other schools. Charter Member Niagara Frontier Chapter, QCWA. Had QCWA 60-year award.
Fred Gerber, W2UYG, 1989
After retiring from New York Telephone, Fred served in the Erie County Sheriff's Mounted Division. He received the QCWA 60 Year Award. He was first licensed in 1920.
George Wessell, W2DAN, 1988
First licensed in 1949, George became know on the air as, "Danny Boy." He was the spark and inspiration for many youth, serving as a teacher at Kenmore Junior High School for 43 years.
Elmer Odien, W2BHQ, 1988
Radio history in Buffalo and Elmer Odien have many mutual ties. First licensed in 1926, he received the QCWA 50-Year Award. Elmer was the long-time transmitter operator for WBEN (AM) on Grand Island.
Robert House, W2JPE, 1988
Born in Buffalo and a member of the first garduating class at Amherst High School, Bob was first licensed in 1933. He graduated from the University of Michigan with an engineering degree and served as a Captain in the Army Air Force during World War II. He retired from the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. Bob was a Charter Member of Chapter #65 and served as Vice President and on the Board of Directors.
Ken Conrad, W2IIE, 1988
First licensed in 1922, Ken lived in Akron. He was well known for his collection of antique radio equipment. A Charter Member of the Niagara Frontier Chapter, he received the QCWA 50-Year Award.
James Taylor, KC2U, 1987
One of the friendly field engineers for the Buffalo office of the FCC. Worked on the technical construction of monitoring station at Canandaigua.
Frank Saj, W2WLT, 1987
First licensed in 1941 and a Charter Member of Chapter #65. Frank's career followed the golden years of Buffalo, New York broadcasting. He worked as engineer for the 50,000 watt radio giant, WKBW and for WWOL.
William Harman, W2LGE, 1987
Norman Bauman, K2CD, 1987
Robert Faling, W2MYN, 1986
Bob served for many years on the Board of Directors of Chapter #65.
Joseph Bertuca, W2DWZ, 1986
Howard A. Seyse, W2KZ, 1985
Long time Chapter Secretary and Director. Howard was a Charter Member of the Niagara Frontier Chapter QCWA, a Life Member of the national organization, and received the QCWA 60 Year Award.
Walter Morgan, W2HSI, 1985
Based in Kenmore, Walt's signals over the years were heard around the world.
F. Cecil Logan, W2PNW, 1985
Well known around the east-coast as a top traffic man in National Traffic System nets. Cecil was a Charter Member of Chapter #65 and received the QCWA Fifty Year Award.
M. Thomas Burns, K2BEG, 1985
Earl W. Whyman, W2HB, 1984
Earl was an accomplished Dxer. He held a number of calls throughout the years: 8CIB (1928), W9EOY (1939), W8KCM (1948), and K2ERE (1952). He worked at Sparton-Withington Company as Radio-TV Director, and at Colonial Radio as an electrical engineer.
Earl J. Westfall, W2JR, 1984
Known as the "Jolly Roger" on the air. A Life Member of QCWA he was a Chapter #65 Director, received the Sixty Year Award and the QCWA Century Club Award.
Louis O. Shea, W2VFV, 1984
His radio experience extended over many areas. Licensed pre-war, he served as a Sergeant in the Communications section for the U.S. Army in WW-2. He was a radio operator for the police in Florida, serviced and maintained West Seneca police radio equipment, and retired as Transmitter Supervisor for one of Buffalo's great broadcasting complexes: WGR-AM-FM-TV. For many years he handled the radio feeds for the Buffalo Sabres hockey broadcasts.
Morey Englander, W2DXZ, 1984
Morey was Charter Member #4 for the Niagara Frontier Chapter, QCWA.
Leroy F. Fiedler, W2CWK, 1984
Key man in the construction and operation of 50,000-watt Buffalo radio landmark, WKBW. When he retired as chief engineer of the WKBW stations, he moved to California.
Anthony Dybowski, W8RRL, 1983
George Woodrich, W2RLR, 1982
Richard Pratt, W2GIH, 1982
Raymond Nichols, W2RN, 1982
A Charter Member of Chapter #65, and Life Member, he was an active DXer. Worked for AT&T in Washington, DC for many years, then WGR-AM in Buffalo. Active as a Civil Defense volunteer. He received the QCWA Century Club Award and the Sixty Year Award.
Nelson Griswold, WB2GUF, 1982
He received the QCWA Fifty Year Award.
Millard Davidson, W2PZL, 1982
His powerful signal and booming voice can still be remembered directing message traffic on 75-meters as part of the National Traffic System. "Rudy" was a Charter Member of Chapter #65.
Edward J. O'Connor, W2SSJ, 1981
First licensed in 1941 and on the air from Niagara Falls.
Frank X. May, W2RKI, 1981
A Charter Member of Chapter #65, QCWA, he received the Fifty Year Award.
W. K. Hamilton, W2FE, 1981
From Bath, New York, received the QCWA Fifty Year Award.
Eugene P. Klumpp, W2PXQ, 1980
Was TV supervisor for Buffalo first TV station, WBEN-TV Channel 4.
Clara Reger, W2RUF, 1980
She helped so many discover the world of Amateur Radio. Her CW "fist" was recognized around the country on traffic nets of the National Traffic System. She was a Charter Member of the Niagara Frontier Chapter.
Edward Wozniak, W2JUV, 1978
Thomas A. Doddridge, W2LEZ, 1978
Joseph G. Buehlmann, W2SO, 1977
A Charter Member of Chapter #65. Joe was a master mechanic at Symington Wayne in Depew and owned a cottage on Honeoye Lake. His first call was 8SO.
Karl Hoffman, W2RG, 1977
Another Western New York broadcast pioneer! He was Manager of Engineering
for the broadcast complex of WGR-AM-FM-TV and was in charge of building WGR-TV on Channel
2.
Harvey Wannenmacher, W2MZ, 1976
A Charter Member of Chapter #65, he served as Secretary/Treasurer.
Howard Lotz, W2THD, 1975
A Charter Member of Chapter #65.
Albert Lang, W2PLE, 1975